Device, system and method for in-vivo imaging of a body lumen

Abstract

An in-vivo device, system and a method for imaging a body lumen, typically liquid filled body lumen. The in-vivo device may have a specific gravity of about 1 or a volume to weight ratio that enables it to float. The in-vivo device may include an optical system for viewing through a body lumen liquid and another optical system for viewing through a non liquid medium. The in-vivo device may be moved through the body lumen by the liquid movement in that lumen.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A floatable device for in-vivo imaging, said device comprising:
 a first optical system placed behind a first optical dome of said device; 
 a second optical system placed behind a second optical dome of said device; 
 said first and second optical domes are located at a first and second opposite ends of said device; 
 said device having a specific gravity of about 1; 
 wherein the center of gravity of said device is located closer to said first end than to said second end; 
 wherein said first optical system is compatible with the refractive index of body lumen liquid; and 
 wherein said second optical system is compatible with the refractive index of a non liquid medium; and 
 wherein when said device is placed in said body lumen liquid, said center of gravity is to cause said first end to be submerged, while said second end is afloat. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said optical domes is a transparent empty-spaced elongated optical dome. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , comprising a lens holder for viewing through said liquid. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , comprising a planoconcave lens a planoconvex lens and a convex lens. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 4 , comprising an aperture stop. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the aperture stop is placed between said planoconcave lens and said planoconvex lens. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 1 , comprising a lens holder for viewing through said non liquid medium. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first volume of space having at least an imager and said first and said second optical systems; and 
 a second volume of space being empty of components, the second volume of space being greater than twice the first volume of space. 
 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 1 , comprising a control voltage liquid crystal lens. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is an autonomous swallowable capsule. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 1 , having a specific gravity of about 1. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 1 , having a volume to weight ratio that enables said device to float in a body lumen liquid. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 1 , comprising an illumination source. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 1 , comprising a transmitter. 
     
     
       15. The device according to  claim 1 , comprising a ballast. 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein internal components of said device set ballast of the device in one portion of the device. 
     
     
       17. An in-vivo imaging system, said system comprising:
 a floatable imaging device having a specific gravity of about 1, said device comprising a 
 first optical system placed behind a first optical dome of said device, 
 a second optical system placed behind a second optical dome of said device; 
 said first and second optical domes are respectively located at a first and a second opposite ends of said device; 
 a transmitter; and 
 a receiver, 
 wherein the center of gravity of said device is located closer to said first end than to said second end; 
 wherein said first optical system is compatible with the refractive index of a body lumen liquid; and 
 wherein said second optical system is compatible with the refractive index of a non liquid medium; and 
 wherein when said device is placed in said body lumen liquid, said center of gravity is to cause said first end to be submerged, while said second end is afloat. 
 
     
     
       18. The system according to  claim 17 , comprising a data processor. 
     
     
       19. The system according to  claim 17 , comprising a storage unit. 
     
     
       20. The system according to  claim 17 , comprising a monitor.